Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 13, 2018 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ankle and right knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran contends his conditions were aggravated in service, but the VA examinations did not adequately consider this claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as not related to service. For the lumbar spine, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 6, 2020 and from July 6, 2020 is also denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis. Right knee chondromalacia and left knee chondromalacia are each rated at the maximum allowable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were denied effective dates prior to April 23, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for right and left knee disorders. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether there is a link between the current diagnoses of right and left knee strains and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as VA records were not obtained and there are outstanding workers' compensation claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The Board finds that the Veteran did not receive proper notification of his scheduled VA examinations, which were cancelled due to his absence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions began during active duty or were otherwise related to in-service events.,Service connection is not granted as there is no indication of chronic left knee disability or hypertension present during active duty. The Veteran’s current diagnoses are not shown to be causally related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues. The Veteran's claims for right and left arm/hand conditions, lumbar spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, sleep apnea, and anemia are now before the RO for further review.

The Veteran's right and left total knee replacements have been granted a 60% evaluation since the effective dates of their respective surgeries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, bilateral knee, bilateral eye condition, and left ear hearing loss as they are related to service. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence and opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity disabilities, torn knee ligaments, and hip disability are denied as secondary to her service-connected left ankle disability. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability due to outstanding private treatment records not being associated with the claims folder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 6, 2011.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that his range of motion did not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in flexion and extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of flexion and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate VA medical examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded for additional development to determine their current severity and the extent of any functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his skin condition. The claims are not granted.